Two people were killed on Wednesday when police opened fire on a group attempting to storm a station in southern Morocco, as demonstrations continued to grip the country for a fifth day.
State media reported that the incident took place in Lqliaa, near the coastal city of Agadir, after protesters tried to seize ammunition, equipment, and service weapons. Officials said officers first pushed back the attack, but the group returned armed with blades. Police then used their firearms “in legitimate self-defence” to repel the assault.
“During this attempt, two people died from gunshot wounds, while others were injured during their participation in the attack,” local officials told the MAP news agency. A judicial investigation into the incident has been opened.
The protests have been driven by GenZ 212, a recently formed collective based on the Discord platform. Organisers remain anonymous, but their calls have drawn thousands of people into the streets across the country.
The demonstrations, which began on Saturday, are demanding reforms in Morocco’s public health and education sectors, as well as an end to corruption. Wednesday’s rallies were the first to receive official authorisation, with protesters gathering in Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, and other cities.
Crowds chanted for “freedom, dignity and social justice” and called for Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch to resign. While many demonstrations have been peaceful, reporters witnessed masked individuals setting fire to police cars and a bank branch. Local media also reported vandalism in Sidi Bibi and several smaller towns not listed as official protest sites.
Violence had already erupted on Tuesday during unauthorised rallies in Oujda and Inzegane. Interior ministry spokesman Rachid El Khalfi said protesters used knives, Molotov cocktails, and stones during clashes with security forces.
A total of 263 police officers and 23 protesters were injured, including one protester who was hospitalised in Oujda. Authorities detained 409 people during the unrest, in which more than 140 police vehicles and 20 private cars were set ablaze. El Khalfi said government buildings, bank branches, and shops were also stormed and looted, particularly in Inzegane and Oujda.
AFP footage showed tense confrontations lasting for hours along a main avenue in Inzegane.
In Rabat, prosecutors announced that 97 people would face trial, including three currently in detention, according to lawyer Souad Brahma. Another 26 people were released without charges. A separate group of 37 defendants had already been charged on Tuesday.
GenZ 212 described itself as a “discussion space” for issues like health, education, and fighting corruption. The group expressed “regret” over the previous day’s violence.
Social inequality remains a longstanding challenge in Morocco, marked by deep regional divides and a wide gap between public and private sectors.